Automatic lid nailing machine



June 15, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL 2,084,048

AUTOMATIC LID NAILING MACHINE Filed pt. 5, 1933 11 Sheets-Sheet 1"652440 a: wra/v' hAPPV 5:460

June 15, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL 2,084,048

AUTOMATIC LID NAILING-MACHINE firmemzk June 15, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL2,084,048

AUTOMATIC LID NAILING MACHINE Filed Sept. s, 1935 11 Shets-Sheet a June15, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL 2,084,048

AUTOMATIC LID NAILING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5, 1955 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 H6.&

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4% pvt M7025 a June 15, 1937; H. PAXTON ET AL AUTOMATIC LID NAILINGMACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 5 lllaltrllrvlllillIt!!!vllllllllliflilf!lilrlFiled Sept. 5, 1955 y a fig M mww m W 5 4 w Wh June 15, 1937. H. PAXTONET AL 2,034,048

AUTOMATIC LID MAILING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5, 1955 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 June15, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL AUTOMATIC LID NAILING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5,1953 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 June 15, 1937.

H. PAXTQN ET AL AUTOMATIC LID NAILING MACHINE 11 Shets-Sheet 11 FiledSept. 5, 1933 aimacmmn Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Harry D. Benson,

Santa Ana, Callf., assig'nors, by mesne assignments,

to Food Machinery Corporation, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationSeptember 5, 1933, Serial No. 688,104

65 Claims.

Our invention relates to the nailing and strap ping art and hasparticular utility in nailing and strapping lids on boxes overfilledwith fresh farm products.

While our invention has wide utility, it is particularly useful innailing and strapping lids on shipping boxes overfilled with freshcitrus fruit, and an embodiment of the invention particularly adaptedfor this purpose will be disclosed in this application.

Among other objects, this invention is directed towards producing asimpler, more compact, and stronger machine for nailing and strappingcovers on boxes, one which is less expensive to build and operate, onewhich is easier to service and repair, one which is more dependable inoperation, and a machine which is easier on the fresh farm productsbeing packaged.

It is a further object of our invention to produce such a machine inwhich clutches and other complicated mechanisms are eliminated and yetrender the machine completely responsive to the operator and fast enoughfor the proper performing of the work. It is to be noted that manyfeatures of our invention are applicable to cover presses, some areapplicable to nailing machines generally, some have particularapplication to lidding machines alone, while others relate particularlyto strapping machines.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such a machine havingan improved mechanism for feeding boxes into and from the machine.

Yet another object of our invention is to produce a machine for one ormore of the purposes above referred to which is capable of handling workvarying in height and width without adjustment and work varying inlength with a minimum of adjustment.

The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects, as well as furtherobjects and advantages, will be made manifest in the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment a of our invention.

nailed and strapped to a box and the operator's foot released from thecontrol pedal. r

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the control switch of said machine.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 'i is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6 showing the controlpedal depressed and the resulting elevation of a box by said machine inthe performance of a lid nailing and strapping operation.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating operation of the side flushersof our invention on the higher of two boxes varying in height whichthese flushers are adapted to automatically perform a fruit gatheringfunction on. I

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9of Fig. '1 illustrating the construction of the brake mounting of ourinvention. v

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on theline 6- of Fig. 3 and illustrating the construction of the brake releasemechanism of our invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detailed horizontal sectional view taken on theline i|il of Fig. 10 and looking upward.

Fig. 12 is a detailed fragmentary perspective view of a box stop of ourinvention illustrating its manner of operation.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detailed perspective view of mechanism foroperating the tilting elevator table of our invention.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the stop shown inFig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 illustrating the stop of ourinvention in the act of stopping a box.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of the box feed mechanism of ourinvention operating in conjunction with the elevator of our machine tofeed boxes thereto, said view being taken in the direction of the arrowit in Fig. 3.

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view taken onthe line il-i'l of Fig. 16 and illustrating the stop of said feedmechanism while depressed.

Fig. 18 is a view a box passing over the stop of said feed mechanisminto said machine.

Fig. 19 is aview similar to Fig. 17 showing the parts of said feedmechanism as positioned immediately after said box has been fed intosaid machine with the stop in elevated position as shown in Fig. 3.

similar to Fig. 1': illustrating Fig. 20 is an enlargedtransversesectional view taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on the line 2|-2lof Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21 illustrating the parts showntherein in operating position.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the nailing units ofour invention illustrating the nail stripper and feed mechanism thereofwith the stripper pan inclined downwardly.

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 29 illustrating the stripper pan inupwardly inclined position.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary detailed view taken on the line 25-29 of Fig.26.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken on theline 29-29 .of Fig. 9, and showing the strapper of our inventionpositioned as when said machine is at the beginning of a strappingoperation.

Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig. 29 illustrating the strapper after thefirst step in a strapping operation which results in preshaplng thestrap.

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 2! illustrating the strapper afterthenext step in a strapping operation which results in the shaping of thecover and tensioning of the driver actuating springs.

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 28 illustrating the strapper Justafter the final step takes place in the strapping operation whichresults in the release of the drivers permitting these to make a strapsecuring movement relative to the strap positioning Jaws.

Referring specifically to the drawings, we have shown therein apreferred embodiment of our invention comprising a lid nailing andstrapping machine II, this machine including a frame 96, an elevator 31,a nailing mechanism 39, a strapper 99, and a control mechanism 49.

The frame 36 rigidly secured to the corners of the base 4| and extendvertically upward therefrom. As seen in Fig. 4, end pairs of the posts43 are connected by bars 49 and by spacers 41.

Upper ends of side pairs of the posts 49 (Fig. 4) are connected togetherby relatively heavy side plates 49 which perform an important functionof the frame I! which will be explained hereinafter. While the sideplates 49 might be formed integral with the corner posts 49, they arepreferably bolted to said posts and are provided with pairs of holes 49and It, as shown in Fig. 2, the purpose of these holes being madeevident hereinafter.

Retained in a suitable aperture in the forward side plates 48 is a pushpin ll (Figs. 1, 3. and 4) these posts.

The frame 99 also includes a channel iron 59 shown in Figs. 3 and 6,said channel iron being preferably welded at its ends to the frame bars49. The channel iron 59 has an aperture formed vertically therethroughat its middle through which a hollow standard I59 extends, the lower endof this standard resting on the channel iron The 18001 3? The elevator91 and associated devices will now be described. This elevator includesan electric motor 95 bolted onto the motor struts 99. as clearly shownin Figs. 6 and 7, this motor having a drive pinion 99 which ispreferably formed of fiber. The pinion 99 meshes with a jack gear 91having a nut 89 formed within the hub thereof, this gear being rotatablymounted on a hear-- ing 99 inserted in the upper end of the hollowstandard, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Covering the pinion 96 and gear 91 is a gear housing brake 19 having, abrake lining ll of the fiat ring type, this lining being disposed Justabove the outer rim of the gear 91, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7.The brake III is positioned in a horizontal plane and has its verticalmovement upward limited by cap screws 12, compression springs 19 coiledabout these screws constantly urging the brake ill into disengagedposition, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

Screwed downwardly through the nut 69 is a jack screw 14 which ispreferably double pitched as shown, this screw having a cap plate 15, asclearly shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 10. Provided on the lower end of thescrew 14 is a guide spider Resting on and rigidly secured to the capplate 15 is a central cross-beam 19 of a nailing table 90. This tableIll includes longitudinal side beams 9i and 92 which are welded toopposite ends of the cross-beam 19 and have their opposite endsconnected by end cross-bars 9i and 99. The opposite ends of thesecrow-bars extend into the angles produced by adjacent flanges of theangle iron posts 49, as clearly shown in Figs. l0, l2, and 13, so thatsaid posts are adapted to guide any vertical movement of the table 90.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 10, the cross-beam 19 is seen to bean inverted channel iron with upper portions of the flanges thereofnotched for a purpose which will become evident hereinafter. Provided onthe beam 19 as by welding so as to be integral therewith are hollowcylinders 91 having flanges 99 at their lower ends and screw caps 99provided on their upper ends. The screw caps 99' have central aperturesto provide access to the interior of the cylinders 91. Provided in eachof the cylinders 81 is a plunger cylinder 99 which is also hollow, andhas an annular flange at its lower end which retains therein a solidplunger 95, the latter being flanged at its upper end to prevent itscomplete removal from the cylinder 90. A high compression spring 96 isprovided in the cylinder 90, this being held downwardly against theplunger" by a screw plug 91. annular recess in its outer surface leavingan annular shoulder 99 at its lower end. Disposed in the upper end ofthe cylinder 81 between the cap 99 and the plunger cylinder is arelatively light coil spring 99 for normally retaining the plungercylinder 90 in the lower end of the cylinder 91. Lying in suitable slideways formed in bosses projecting from the bodies of the 03/1- inders 91are latches I99 which are connected by a rod NH and normally heldinwardly over The plunger 90 is provided with an 2,os4,o4e

in Fig. 1a, is a bell crank us having a roller on I on has a finger I83which extends forwardly and downwardly for a purpose which will becomeevident hereinafter.

The table 88 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7) also has provided thereon a pair of sideflushers H8. Each of these flushers has a shaft III, opposite ends ofwhich are journalled in suitable apertures in the table end cross-bars85 and 86, and each of these shafts is provided at its opposite endswith upwardly disposed cam arms H2 carrying rollers H3 adapted to travelon the cam tracks 58 and downwardly extending arms H4, end pairs of thearms H4 being connected by springs H5 which yieldably hold the camrollers H3 against the cam tracks 58.

Secured, preferably as by welding, to each shaft III and extendingupwardly therefrom, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6, and '7, are pairsof spring flusher arms H8. Just below their upper ends these arms I I8are bent outwardly to form recesses II1. Secured to the upper ends ofeach pair of spring arms H8 (Fig. 8) is a main fiusher blade H8. Each ofthe blades H8 has an upwardly extending lid centralizing flnger I I8.Extending downwardly and outwardly from opposite ends of each flusherblade II8 are brackets I28 through which screws I2I extend, inner endsof these screws screwing into auxiliary flusher blades I22. Compressionsprings I23 between the blades I22 and the brackets I28 constantly urgeeach auxiliary blade inwardly into the same plane as its main flusherblade I I8.

As will be noted in Figs. 3 and 4, the flusher blades H8 by the use of aslot and bolt connection are mounted on the spring arms H8 in such amanner as to permit a limited degree of vertical adjustment thereon.

Fixed on spring arms H8 on each of the side flushers H8 is a box guiderail I28, opposite ends I29 01 this rail being adapted to engage sidesof a box on the table 88 so as to centralize this box laterally when theflushers I I8 are swung inwardly.

Mountedon the endmost spring arms H8, as

clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6, and "I, are box locating cams I38, thefunction of which is to centralize said box longitudinally, when saidflushers are swung in, by engaging the ends of the box in alongitudinally trapping relation therewith. I

Provided. in the side beams 8I and 82 of the table 88, as clearly shownin Figs. 3, 4', and 12, are holes I3I and I32. In Fig. 12 these holesare both shown as empty. In Figs. 3 and 4 cap screws I33 are shownextending through the holes I3I to support rollers I34 between saidbeams 8I and 82 at opposite ends of the table 88.

A screw I33 is removed in Fig. 12 to indicate the position of one of theholes I3I in the beam 8 I. Each of the rollers I34 has a relativelyheavysolid shaft I35 which is supported at its opposite ends by the capscrews I33 which are threadedly received therein. The rollers I34 alsoare cut away centrally to provide stop accommodating spaces I36.

Pivotally mounted on the shaft I35 (Figs. 10, l1, and 12) at thedischarge end of the table 88 is a tilting roller conveyor I48, thisconveyor including side members I4I which have holes I4I (Fig. 3) forfreely receiving the other shaft I35, and an end member I42 (Fig. 13)which is preferably welded to the side members to rigidly space these,the member I42 being at the re ceiving end of the table 88. Pivotallymounted on the end bar of the table 88, as clearly shown one arm thereofengaging the lower surface of the member I42 and having the other arm;thereof connected by a link I44 to one of the downwardly extendingflusher arms H4. The operation of the bell crank I43 and link I44 issuch that when the table 88 is'in lowermost position, as shown in Fig.3, the conveyor I48 is tilted. Provided on the conveyor I48 in-betweenthe rollers I34 is' a series of idle rollers I45. The oppositeends ofthe tilting conveyor side members I4I are'also provided with skatewheelrollers I48, as clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The

roller I45 at the middle of the table 88 is shorter than the balance ofthese rollers, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, and is pivotally mounted atits ends on U-shaped brackets I41 which extend around the cylinders 81and permit access to these cylinders from above the table 88.

Referring now to Figs. 12, 13, 14, and 15, a box stop I53 is here shownin the form of a plate having a vertical body I54 bent therefrom, thelatter being mounted on four bolts I55 which are supported on thecross-bar 85 and a plate I55 extending downwardly from this cross-bar.Also pivotally mounted on cross-bar 85 is a bell crank I51, one arm ofthis bell crank being loosely connected by a link I58 to the stop I53,and the other end of the bell crank being connected by a link I59 to anadjacent downwardly extending arm II4 of one of the flusher shafts III,as clearly shown in Fig. 12. When the table 88 is elevated it is thusseen that the bell crank I51 is rocked by the swinging of the-sideflushers to draw the stop I53 downwardly.

Provided on the front table beam 8I, as clear-'- ly shown-in Figs. 3 and4, is a downwardly extending shut-off cam I85 and a safety rod guide andshut-off finger I56, the purpose of these being made evidenthereinafter.v

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3, 4, 16, 1'1, 18, and 19, it isseen that we have provided a novel box feeding mechanism I81 for feedingboxes into the automatic lid nailing and strapping machine 35. Theapparatus I61 includes a bracket I88 mounted on the table end crossbar86 and pivotally carrying a catch I53 having a release finger I18 andurged into upright position by a spring I1I.

Supported on adjacent corner posts 43 of the machine 35 and on legs I12is a skate wheel roller section of conveyor I13 having the rollersdisposed on opposite sides of a central space in the conveyor. Pivotallymounted in said central space and continually urged upward by a springI14 is a stop I15 having a hook finger I18 which lies in the path of thecatch I69 as the latter moves vertically with the table 88 duringtheoperation of the machine 35. Also pivotally a power conveyor I8 I thisconveyor being adapt-.

ed to run continuously excepting when the bell crank I88 is depressed,this depression tem porarily disconnecting thepower from the conveyorI8I. Disposed in between the powerconveyor I8I and the conveyor sectionI13 is an idle roller conveyor section I82 which is adapted to act as anaccumulator for boxes discharged from the power conveyor I81.

Disposed at the discharge end of the machine 35 is a discharge conveyorI83, one end of which may be supported upon an adjacent pair of thecorner posts 43.

The nailing mechanism The nailing mechanism 88 consists primarily of twonailing units I88 and I88 (Fig. 3) these being substantially identicalso that a description of one with an explanation of the diiferences willsufllce for both. The nailing unit I88 (Figs. 2 and 20) has side slidebars I88 having pins I8I by which the unit may be supported upon theside plates 48 of the frame, these units normally being rigidly mountedupon the side plates. by cap screws I88 extending either through pairsof holes 48 or through pairs of holes 88 in the side plates 48 and beingthreadedly received in suitable holes provided in the side slide barsI88. Becured to lower ends of the side slide bars I88 are chuck beamstops I84, the front stop I84 having a lid guiding hook I85 securedthereon. Extending between and preferably rigidly connected at itsopposite ends to the upper ends of the side slide bars I88 is across-barI88, this bar having stripper supporting ears I 81 (Figs. 2 and 20through 23), a bearing I 88 provided by a rearwardly extending endthereof, an upwardly extending spring hanger I88, and a picker operatingcam lever 288 plvotally mounted thereon. The spring hanger I88 isconnected to the cross bar I88 by a single cap screw 28I. Formed in thelower face of the cross-bar I88 is a groove 285, and square nail drivers288 have their upper ends held in place in the groove 288 by a key 281which extends into suitable notches provided in the drivers 288, the key281 being secured in any suitable manner to the lower face of thecrossbar I 88.

Disposed between the side slide bars I88 (Figs. 2 and 23) is a chuckbeam 288 having guide shoes 288 provided on its oppositeends, theseguide shoes embracing the side slide bars I88 so as to guide the chuckbeam vertically thereon. The

chuck beam 288 is reinforced by welding blocks 2I8 along its upper edgeand blocks 2I I along its lower edge adjacent the guide shoes 288 andthen by blocks 2I2 welded in spaced relation along the lower edge of thechuck beam. One of the blocks 2I8 at the front of the machine provides amounting for a picker cam actuating roller 2 I8. Secured to the guideshoe 288 at the front of the machine and on nailing unit I 88 alone is acontrol rod guide and release finger 2I8, Provided on the upper edge ofthe chuck beam 288 at the middle of the beam is a lid centralizer springlug 2I8. As shown in Figs. 20, 21, and 22, stra'pper limit bar lugs 228extend inwardly from the central portion of the chuck beam 288.Pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on the spring hanger. I88 andon opposite ends of the chuck beam 288 are telescopic spring spindles22I on which heavy compression springs 222 are mounted under constanttension. Provided on the lower edge of the chuck beam 288 and extendinginwardly is a pair of crown sheet attaching eyes 228.

Formed on the chuck beam 288 (Figs. 21 and 22) and extending inwardlyacross its entire length is a chuck spring supporting boss 224,

I chuck springs 225 being secured by screws to an inclined lower face ofthis boss and extending through suitable notches in the lower edge ofthe chuckbeam 288 and downwardly on the opposite side of the chuck beam.The lower ends of the chuck springs 225 are bent to extend verticallydownward and pockets 228 are formed in these springs, preferably byexpressing the material thereof outwardly.

Resting on top of the lower reinforcing blocks guideways other of whichis disposed 2I2, disposed between the upper reinforcing blocks 2", andyieldabiy held against the chuck beam 288 by springs 288 is a compoundspring chuck block 28I which is clearly shown in Fig. 2. This block 28Ihas a pluralityof driver guideways 282 (Figs. 2, 21 and 22) providedtherein In the preferred embodiment of our invention,

and a rearwardly extending boss 288 opposite there are six guideways 282shown in the com-" pound chuck block 28I, the endmcst pairs of theseguideways being closer together than the inner pairsso thattheouterpairofbosses288 are formed as a single unit. As shown in Fig. 2,

only one of each of the endmost pairs of the guideways 282 is used, thepurpose of these two operation upon boxes differing considerably inwidth, as will be explained hereinafter. When anyof the guideways 282are not used, it has been found preferable to cover up their lower endsas by dummy chuck springs 288 secured both to the boss 288 and to theboss 224 opposite this guideway.

Removably supported in each of the ducts 284 and connecting therewith isa nail funnel 281.

Mounted on the chuck beam reinforcing block 2, as clearly shown in Fig.2. are brackets 242, these plvotally carrying opposite ends of anendtucker 248 and. a lid depressor and centralizer 244. The end tucker 248comprises two substantially cylindrical bodies, one of which is disposedon the axis of rotation of the tucker and the parallel with the firstbody and radially therefrom, the two being connected by a substantiallycontinuous web of metal. After extending through the rearmost bracket242 the tucker which extends outwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2.The tucker 248 normally extends downwardly at an angle as clearly shownin Fig. 21 so that it is adapted to support an end of a box lid as shownin this figure. Secured on the tucker 248 to provide a stop for the rearedge of such a lid is a cam member 248. Also formed in the tucker 248,as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 20, 21, and 22, is a pair of slots 24''.

The lid depressor and centralizer 244 has a cross-section as shown inFigs. 21 and 22 which includes a body 248 having arcuate guards 248extending downwardly into the grooves 241 in the tucker 248, and a lip258 which extends inwardly from the body 248 at the upper edge thereofand is provided with suitable notches 288a opposite each of the naildriver guideways 282. The lid depressor and centralizer 244 has anupwardly extending hump 2II (Figs. 2, 21, and 22) to which is pivotallysecured a clevis 252 carrying a rodbeing close together being to permit248 provides an arm 248 a rear well an, and side walls as, the innerends of the latter being pivotally connected to the hopper mounting lugsI81. The hopper side walls are alsoconnected by links 264 to thereinforcing block 2! l of the chuck beam 268. Extending from the upperedge of the rear wall 262 to spaced points in the floor 26! are nailagitating rods 266, there being nail advancing slots 266 extendingforwardlyfrom these rods to a front edge 261 (Fig. 24) of the floor 26!.Formed in the edge 261 adjacent each of the slots 266 is a relativelysmall notch 268. The hopper 266 has a fixed baiile wall 268 extendingbetween the walls 268 and rigidly secured thereto, there being clearancebetween the lower edge of the wall 268 and the floor 26! adjacent theslots 266 to permit nail heads to pass underneath the baflle wall 268 asthe stems of the nails extend through the slots 266. I Pivotally mountedbetween the walls 268 is a pivoted baille 216, this baiiie having aflange 21! at its upper end and a set screw 212 for limiting itsdownward swinging movement when the hopper 266 is extended upwardly, asshown in Fig. 24. Also extending between the walls 268 is a rod 218 onwhich are pivotally mounted a series of traps 214, these being held inspaced relation by spacers 215. Each of the traps 214 is disposed overone of the slots 266, as clearly shown in Figs. 23 and 24.

As shown in Figs. 20, 21, and 22, two brackets 286 are connected to thelower surface of the hopper floor 26! and extend forwardly beyond thefront edge 261 of said floor. Slidably mounted on these 'brackets'is apicker bar 28! having -a pair of slots 282 through which cap screws 288extend, these screws then screwing into suitable aperturesin thebrackets 286. Disposed between the heads of the cap screws 283 and thepicker bar 28! so as to cover the slots 282 are guard washers284. Fixedon the picker bar 28! is an actuating arm 285, the extremity of which isbent as shown in Fig. 23 to extend into the upper bifurcated end of thecam lever 266 by which the picker bar 28! is adapted to be actuated. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 20, a coil spring 286 attaches to one of thebrackets 286 and to the picker bar 28! so as to constantly urge thispicker bar into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 26 and 23.

The picker bar 28! has its lower edge both parallel and close to thefront edge 261 of the hopper floor 285, and this edge of the picker baris provided with a series of pairs of notches, one pair for each of theslots 266 of the hopper fioor. Each of these pairs of notches comprisesa small notch 28?! and a large notch 288, the notch 281 of each oi thesepairs being opposite one of the notches 268 when the picker bar ispositioned as shown in Fig. 23, while the large notch 288 of that pairis on the opposite side of that notch 268 from the slot 266 adjacentthat notch 268. The notches 281 and 288 are spaced apart the samedistance from their centers as is each of the slots 288 and adjacentnotch 268.

In the operation of the machine, a considerable quantity of nails arecarried in the hopper 266, which apply a considerable pressure to thepivotal connection between the links 264 and the inner portions 268' ofthe hopper walls 268. Owing to the fact that these links and innerportions of the walls 268 form toggle joints and the weight of the nailsthus applied to the intermediate pivots of these joints tends tomaintain the links of these toggle joints in extended relation, theweight of these nails is thus effective in strongly restricting theelevation of the chuck beam as. .Theweight of these nails on thesetoggle joints, however. is yieldable and as will be.

pointed out hereinafter,- is overcome in the operation of thd againstthe chuck beams 268, so that the-links 264 lift, swinging the hopperpans and the load of nails carried thereby upwardly and collapsing saidtoggle joints formed by the links 264 and the hopper .walls, 268,-(seeFig. 23).

We have now congpleted the description of the nailing unit I88. Thenailing unit I88 is an exact duplicate of bailing I88 excepting thatinstead of a hook 86'.bei ng formed on the forward chuck beamstop .884,the corresponding chuck beam stopin unitl88 merely has a shallowV-shaped,ll .d ..gnd guide 288, as shown in Fig. 3. Connecting the lugs228 of the nailing units I68 and 188 is a strapper height limit bar 286.

The mapper s9 machine by the upward pressure- The lower end oi each ofthese cams 281 has an oblique cam face 288.

Blidably vertically between the bridge bars 282 and-the rollers 284 andspring heads 285 is a strapper stem 288, this stem consisting of twoplates 866 having a roller 86! rotatably mounted between these plates ona suitable spacer. The lower ends of the plates 866 extend on oppositesides of and are rigidly secured to-a saddle bar 862, the stem andsaddle bar having a vertically elongated opening 868 through which thestrapper height limit bar 286 extends.

Thesaddle bar 862 (Figs. 25,

imately withthe transverse shape which it is desired that this bartransmit to the middle portion of-a lid to be strapped. "The lower faceof this bar is provided with a recess 861 (see Fig. 25) which connectsat its opposite ends to vertical strap jaw guideways 868 through whichextend pins 368 mounted on opposite ends of said saddle bar. Pivotallymounted on the pins 868 in the recesses 368 are strapper jaws 8i6, eachjaw comprising a pair of plates 8 which are spaced at their lower endsbya strap end stop 812. The lower extremities of the plates 8!! (Fig. 25)are bent outwardly to form strap end guides for assisting in feeding astrap into the strapper 88.

Disposed between the plates 3!! and also pivotally mounted on the pins868 of each jaw 8l6 is a driver 1H6, the function of which is to securean end of a strap to a side of a box. An upper end of each driver M3 isconnected by a clevis 8 to a rod 3!.5 which extends through a springhead 285. "A coil compression spring 8 i 6 surrounds the rod 8 !6 and ismaintained under tension by a head 8" on the end of the rod 3l5. Theupper end of each driver 8|3 also pivotally connects to a link 822 of atoggle 828, the other link 824 of this toggle being pivotally connectedto the jaw 3l6 by a pin 825. The links 822 and 824 are connectedtogether by a pin 826, this pin having a spring 821. (see Fig. 28)attached to one of its extending ends, the other end of the spring beingattached to .the saddle bar 862. The op- 28, and 29) has anarchedconiormation corresponding approxcam face 238 of one of the cams231.

.Journalled in the bearings I33 ofthe crossbars I96 of the two nailingunits I66 and I66 is a shaft 332 having arms 333 at its opposite ends,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, these arms being connected by links 334 withthe arms 246 on the end tuckers 243. As shown in Figs. 26 to 29inclusive, the shaft 332 carries an arm 336 opposite the strapper 33,this arm having a.clevis 336 pivoted .thereon, a rod 331 on this clevisextending through the spring head 236 and carrying a coil compressionspring 336 which'constantly tends to rotate the shaft 332 and maintainthe end tuckers 243 rotated into their downwardmostpo'sition in whichextending ends of these tuckers engage the brackets 242 as shown in Fig.21.

Pivotaliy connected to the upper end of the arm 335 is a wedge 333 whichoverlies one of the rollers 234 and extends beneath the strapper stemroller 36I,'as shown in Fig. 26.

Pivotaliy connected at their outer ends to crown sheet ears 223 andloosely connected at theirinner ends to the strapper saddle bar 362 bybolts 362' provided on said bar, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 20, 21, 22 and25, are halves 346 of a crown sheet 3. Lugs 346'provided on the crownsheet halves 346 slide horizontally on the bolts 662' whenever there isrelative vertical movement between the saddle bar 362 and the chuckbeams 268. Pivotaliy mounted on the crown sheet halves 346 along theiredges as shown in Fig. 1 are cover slat spreader jaws 342, the innerends of which are lifted .bysuitable springs disposed thereunder so asto permit the outer ends of said laws to swing upwardly and outwardlywhen brought into vertical engagement with theside slats of a lid, saidjaws thus being separated to spread said side slats laterally.

' The control mechanism 46 The control mechanism 46 of our inventionin-' cludes a switch 343 which is preferably mounted on a suitablebracket 344 fixed upon the channel member 42, as shown in Fig. 6. Theswitch 343 is diagrammatically shown in-Fig. 5 and is an ordinaryreversing switch interposed between the main line conductors a, b, and cand the three terminals of the motor 66. The switch 343 includes a stem345 having two sets of contact makers X and Y. When the stem 345 ispositioned as shown in Fig. 5, the motor 66 is shut oil' and no contactis made by either of the contact makers X or Y. When the stem 346 ismoved upwardly the electrodes a, b, and c are connected with the motorthrough a circuit X 'to cause the motor to run in a direction so as toelevate the table 86. When the stem 345 is moved downwardly from theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 5, the electrodes a, b, and c areconnected through a circuit Y with the motor 65 to cause the motor torun in the opposite direction or so as to lower the table 66. Connectingwith the lower end of the stem 346 is a spring :46 which maintains thestem at in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5 unless a liftingor depressingforce is applied to this stem. Extending upwardly from thestem 345 is a rod 341 having collars 346v and 343.

Pivotaliy mounted at its opposite ends in the cross-bar 46 (Fig. 4) ofthe frame 36 is a control rock shaft 366 having two arms 36I and 362(Figs. 6 and 7) extending forwardly therefrom,

two arms as: and :04 extending upwardly therefrom, and one'arm 366extending rearwardly therefrom. The arm 366 is pivotally connected to alink 366 which extends downwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, and is providedwith a horizontal loop 361 which encircles the rod 341 between thecollars 346 and 346. The arm 363 engages the downwardly extendingshut-oil cam I65 whenthe table 66 is in its lowermost position, as shownin Figs. 3 and '6, so as to rock the shaft 366 and relieve the switchstem 346 of all pressure from the eye 361 andpermit this switch toassume the position shown in Fig. 5

in which it shuts offthe motor 66.

Pivotaliy connected with the arm I is .a rod 316 which extends'downwardthrough a guide bracket 31 l m ounted'on the frame base 4i and connectsat its lower end to a foot pedal 312 which is pivotally mounted on thebase H. The rod 316 has a collar 313, a compression spring 314 betweenthis collar and the bracket 3", and a pair of lock nuts 316 beneath thebracket 3" to limit the action of the spring 314 on the rod 316 when thepedal 312 is relieved from all manual pressure.

Connected by a clevis to the arm 362 (Figs. 3 and 4) and extendingupwardly. is a safety shut-off rod 316, this rod extending upwardlythrough suitableholes in the safety shut-01f fingers I66 and M6. Mountedon the upper end of this rod is a head 31 1 (see Fig. 34), this headhaving a suitable opening therein having a chamfered edge and adapted toreceive the push pin 55 so as to adjust the rod 316 vertically in such aposition that the switch 343 will shutoff the motor 56. In other'words,and as'will appear more particularly hereinafter, the open- 1 ing in thehead-311 is so positioned relative to the pin 55 that when the latter isinserted into said opening, the head 311 will be held in such a positionvertically that the rod 316 will, through the arm 362, shaft 366 and arm365, so determine the vertical location of the link 366 that the eye 361of the latter pressesneither against the collar 348 nor the collar 343,thereby permitting the switch spring 346 to neutralize switch 343 asshown in Fig. 5, and shut 01!, motor 66.

Adiustably mounted on the rod 316 is a collar 316, which is normally sopositioned that when the nailing table 66 is lifted without a boxthereon or with a box thereon which is lower than 4 the lowest box whichthe machine is designed to accommodate, the finger I 66 on the table 66engages the collar 316 and lifts upon the rod 316 so as to rock theshaft 366 to depress the eye 361 as shown in Fig. 4, which operates theswitch 343 to stop the motor and even to reverse the latter until thetable shall bemoved back downwardly enough to allow the eye 361 to risea short distance from the position in which it is shown in Fig.4,'providing the operator's foot is held on the pedal 312. Whenever thetable would thus be stopped by engagement of the finger I66 with thecollar 316, it would immediately give warning to the operator that a boxnot suitable for lidding was deposited in. the machine, and the operatorwould thereupon immediately relieve the pedal 312 from the pressure ofhis foot permitting the spring 314 to rock the shaft 366 and actuate theswitch 344 to throw the motor into reverse as shown in Fig. 4, therebyreturning the table 66 under power to its lowermost position as shown inFig. 3.

- 35, the parts thereof are positioned as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,10, 11, 12 13, 14, 16, 17, 20,21,

23, 25, and 26. The balance of the views are views illustrating themachine during its operation. To begin with, the motor I84 (Fig. 16) isstarted which drives the power conveyor I8! through the clutch I85 owingto the fact that the bell crank I is not depressed. Also the conductorsa, b, and c are connected to a suitable source of three phase currentcapable of driving the motor 65 in opposite directions when theseconductors are' connected with this motor through the circuits 2; andY'.

As will be noted in Figs. 3, 5, and 6, the control eye 361 of the switch343 is now disposed out or! contact with either of the collars 340 or349, thus permitting the spring 346 of the switch 343 to neutralize theswitch stem 345 and shut off the motor 65. As before mentioned, thisposition of the eye 361 results from engagement between the tableshut-oil arm 363 and the shut-on? cam I65 when the table 601s initslowermost position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

It is also desired. to point out that at this time the plungers 95 areheld downwardly, as shown in Fig. 10, by the latches I00 engaging withthe shoulders 36 so that the plungers 95 hold the gear housing brake 10downwardly with thelining 1I pressed against the gear 61, as shown inFig. 6. It is also noted that the side flushers IIO are swung outwardlyas shown in Fig. 6, and that the receiving end of the tiltable conveyorI40, is as shown in Figs. 3, 13 and 1'1. At this time also the stop I15is held downward by the catch I69, as shown in Fig. 1'1. A box B beingfed from the power conveyor I8I onto-the accumulator I82 is eventuallypushed onto the conveyor section I13 by B passes over the bell crank I80which shuts off the conveyor I8I by disconnecting the clutch I85. Owingto the depression of the stop I15 and the inclination of the conveyorsection .I13 in the direction of the-machine 35, the box B now rolls bygravity onto the tilting conveyor I40 where its foremost end engages thestop I53, as shownv in Figs. 3 and 15. The box B is shown as overfilledwith oranges O, a superposed layer 0 of which extends above the upperedges of the box. As the .box B passes over the release finger I10 itswings this, as shown in Fig. 13, to release the hook finger I16 fromthe catch I69. As the stop I15 is uncovered by the box B before thefinger I10, this stop is lifted into its upward position by the springI14, as shown in Fig. 19. It is also noted that as the I80 this ispermitted to rise again as shown in Fig. 19, thus throwing in the clutchI and starting the power conveyor I81. This action again starts thefeeding of boxes from this conveyor onto the accumulator I82 so that boxB, which follows box B, is pushed onto the conveyor section I13 androlls down this against the stop I15. In this position the box Bdepresses the bell crank I80, thus discontinuing operation of the powerconveyor I8I.

' Either before the box B enters the machine 35 or after it has come toa stop, as shown in Fig. 3, the operator takes a strap S which ispreferably in the form of a straight wire having naillike pointeddriving ends E bent from its ends, and inserts-this strap in thestrapper 39. When 'strap .8 is thus inserted, the strap ends restparallel longitudinal following boxes until box box B uncovers the bellcrank against the stops 312 (Fig. 26) and the body of the strap isarched upwardly so as to extend into the notch 301 along the lower facedthe saddle bar 302. The space between the plates 3 of the Jaws 3I0, asshown in Fig. 25,1is just sufficient to slidably receive the strap endsE.

The operator now inserts a lid L in the machine, as clearly shown inFigs. 3, 21, and26, so that ends of the lid rest upon the end'tuckers243, the rear edgeof the lid engaging the stops 246 provided on'thesetuckers. The lid L is a unitized lid formed of a pluralityof spacedslats of relatively thin material, such as ply wood, connected at theiropposite ends by relatively thin transverse end cleats stapled or nailedto the slats.

The machine 35 is now ready for initiating a power cycle of operationfor nailing and strapping the lid L to the box B. The entire operationis brought about by thejoperator stepping on the foot pedal 312 and theprogress of the operation is retained under control of the operator byhis manipulating this pedal. As shown in Figs. 6 and '1, depression ofpedal 312 rocks the control shaft 360 so as to swing the arm 364forwardly. This arm engages the finger I03 and withdraws the latches I00from over the shoulders 93. Thus released, the plunger cylinders arethrust upwardly by the springs 96. The gear housing brake 10 is thusrelieved from the pressure of these springs and the relatively lightpressure of'the springs 99 is substituted therefor. This release of thebrake 10 from pressure by the springs 96 permits this brake to be liftedby' its springs 13, as shown in Fig. 9, thus releasing the gear 61 fromthe brake 10.

Simultaneously with or shortly following this release of the brake 10,the eye 361 engages the collar 348, as shown in Fig. '1, and lifts thisto cause the switch 343 to complete the circuit X between the conductorsa, b, and c and the motor 65. This causes the motor to rotate in thedirection of the arrow D in Fig. '1 so as to rotate the gear 61 and thenut 68, thereby lifting the jack screw 14 and the table 80 mountedthereon.

As the nailing table 80, carrying the box B, starts upwardly the flushercam rollers II3 (Fig. '1) are shifted inwardly by the corner postflusher cams 56, thus rocking the shafts III, swinging the side fiushersI I0 inwardly into flushing position,andswingingthelower arms I I4 onthe shafts II I outwardly. The outward swinging of the arms I14, tocertain of which are attached links I44 and I59 (Figs. 12 and 13),results in rocking the bell crank I43 to lower the tilting conveyor I40into horizontal position, as it is shown in Fig. 4, and also in rockingthe bell crank I51 so as to draw down on the stop I53 while it is underpressure of the springs I60, as shown in Fig. 15. As this. stop comesbelow the bottom edge of the box B it is urged by the springs I60 intothe space I36 (Fig. 14) beneath this box, thereby no longer being in aposition to prevent discharge of the box from a machine at theconclusion of the lidding and strapping operation.

the sides of the box B are of such a height as to permit the auxiliaryflusher blades I22 of the flushers IIO to pass inwardly over these sidesas shown in this view. This moves in side rows of the superposed layerof oranges 0, these oranges being engaged by both the main flusherblades As will be noted in Fig. '1, the upper edges of I H9 and theauxiliary blades I22. In case a higher box than the box B were to beused, as the-box B" shown in Fig. 8 in which the sides of the box comeJust below the lower edges of the main flusher blades I9, the auxiliaryblades I22 engage the outer surface of the sides of the box so as tocompress the springs I23 and permit the main blades II9 to extendinwardly over the upper edges of the box sides and shift the side rowsof the oranges O inwardly over the sides.

The swinging in of the side flushers II9 also brings the boxcentralizers I29 into engagement with sides of the box B, as shown inFigs. 3 and 7, thus centralizing this box laterally on the nailing table99 while the springs and longitudinal box centralizing cams I39 engagethe ends of the box and centralize this longitudinally in properposition on the nailing table 99 for performing a lidding and strappingoperation on the box. As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6, and '1, the lateralcentralizers I29 engage the box at points spaced longitudinally from thepoints at which these centralizers are attached to the arms II6. Thispermits a slight yielding horizontally of the centralizers I29 when abox of excessive width is being handled in the machine. Adaptation ofthe side fiushers II 9 to boxes varying in width is eflected by thespringy nature of the arms II6 on which the flusher blades are carried.

The flushing movement of the side flushers H9 is timed with theelevation of the table 99 by cam tracks 56 so that the lid positioningfingers II 9 are brought inwardly as they come opposite the lid L andpositively position the lid L laterally for application to the box B.

At the moment the side fiushers I I9.come into flushing position, asshown in Fig. 7, the box B has been elevated practically to the positionin which it is shown fragmentarily in Fig. 21. As box B continuesthereafter to rise the end tuckers 243 contact the ends of the box B andend oranges in the layer As the box lifts the end tuckers 243 these endtuckers swing inwardly, tucking these end oranges inwardly over the boxends and holding these oranges in inward position as they are broughtinto contact with the lid L which is disposed immediately thereabove. Asthe oranges O' engage the lid L the lid is lifted bringing its endsagainst the lip 269 of the lid depressor and centralizer 244. The upwardswinging of the end tuckers 243 causes the lid ends to engage the lips269 and swing the centralizers 244 upward. In case one of the lid endsshould not be of suflicient bulk to accomplish this the lid stop cammember 246 lifts this lid depressor and centralizer 244 substantially tothe position in which this is shown in Fig. 22. In comparing Figs. 21and 22, it is clear that the upward rocking of the end tuckers 243 onwhich the lid stop cam member 246 is mounted, inevitably brings this lidstop member against the element- 244 asthe box moves upwardly. Normally,of course, the member 244 is swung upwardly by the pressure of thecleated lid end against the lip 269 when the end of the box lifts on thetucker 243 and the latter pushes upward on the cleated lid end.Obviously, the centralizer body 249 and downwardly extending arcuateguards 249 engage the ends of the lid L and centralize thislongitudinally for application to the box B. The guards 249 prevent thelid extending between an end tucker 243 and the centralizer body 249thereabove.

. Y. the table 99 under power until the shut-oil cam Fig. 21 shows across-section of a chuck beam 299 in the position in which this remainsuntil the box B has risen to press the ends of the lid L onto the endsoi the box by forcing the lid ends upwardly against the lips 269, theselips being then lifted by the lid ends and pressed upwardly against thebottoms of the chuck beams 299. Up

to this point the tension under which the springs 222 are maintainedurges the chuck beams 299 into their lowermost positions on the sidevslide bars I99 as shown in Figs. 2,20, and 21. When the lid ends havethus been completely pressed upon the box B, however, further continuedupward movement of the box B lifts the chuck beams 299 so as to causethe drivers 296 to drive nails N from the recesses 232 downwardly frombetween the chuck springs 226 and 236 through the lid ends, and into theends of the box as clearly shown in Fig. 22. In the embodimentdisclosed, the nails N and drivers296 do not move downwardly but remainstationary while the box and the lid are pushed upward onto the nails.

When the box B has been elevated to the position in which it is shown inFig. 22 the release finger 2I9 on the chuck beam 299 of the nailing unitI99 (Figs. 3 and 3a) has been lifted to engage the head 311 on thesafety shutofl rod 316, this engagement rocking the control shaft 369 soas to lift the pedal 312 against the action of the operator's foot anddepress the eye 361 to neutralize the switch 343 and shut oi! the motor66. When this occurs the operator releases the pedal 312, as shown inFig. 4, this permitting the spring 314 to lift the rod 319 and therebyrock the shaft 369 to press the eye 361 downward and thus lower the stem346 of the switch 343 to connect the conductors a, b, and c with themotor 66 through the reverse circuit The motor 66 is thus reversed andlowers I66 engages the arm 363 to rock the shaft 369 against the actionof the spring 314, neutralize the switch 343, and shut oil. the motor66. Following the shutting of! of the motor 66, the motor and the gear91 continue to rotate owing to their momentum and are stopped by thegear housing brake 19 being forced downwardly by engagement therewith ofthe plungers 96, as

clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 10. This halts rotation of the motor 66 andgear 61 with the table 99 returned to its original position.

As the table 99 descends the side flushers II9 return to their outwardposition shown-in Fig. 6, this releasing the box from the longitudinalpositioning cams I39 and swinging the downwardly extending arms I I4inwardly to lift the receiving end of the tiltable conveyor I49 into itselevated position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 13, and release the stop I63(Figs. 12, 14, and 15) so that it will be free to rise up into the pathof the next box to be received by the machine 36.

Owing to the inclination of the conveyor I49 on the table 99, the box Bis now automatically discharged from this tablev by gravity onto thedischarge conveyor I93. Descent of the table 99 also causes the stop I16to be depressed as shown the chuck beam stops I84 provided on the lowerends of the side slide bars I88. .This reciprocation of the chuck beams288 in each nailing operation accomplishes through the links 284 theoscillation of the nail hoppers 288 between positions as shown in Figs.

downwardly inclined 21 and 23 and upwardly inclined positions as shownin Figs. 22 and 24. Y

A quantity of nails N are maintained in the hoppers 288 so that theseare gradually fed into the slots 266 owing to the oscillation of thehoppers. The nails thus fed into the slots 286 slide downwardly in theslots beneath the transverse baille walls 268 and 218 and the traps 214.Thus, when the hoppers 268 rock downwardly. as shown in Fig. 23, thetraps 214 retain the nails which have passed under these traps fromreturning back into the hopper. A supply of nails is thus alwaysmaintained in the slots 286 ad- Jacent the mouths thereof.

When the chuck beam 288 moves upwardly in each nailing operation, it notonly tilts the hopper 268 upwardly, as shown in Fig. 24, but the roller2i3 shown in Fig. 23 engages the picker operating cam lever 288 so as toshift the picker bar 28l into the position in which it is shown in Fig.24. This causes a nail to be fed from the mouth of each of the slots 266into the small now disposed opposite this slot. As the hopper 2'68starts to swing downwardly the roller 2 l3 releases the lever 288permitting the spring 286 to shift the picker bar 28| to its otherposition as shown in Fig. 23. This brings the notches 281 opposite thenotches 268 in the front edge 261 of the floor 26! with this floor indownwardly inclined position as shown in Fig. 23. The nails N carried inthe notches 281 are thus transferred to the notches 268. As the shiftingof the picker bar 28L back to its nail receiving position starts beforethe hopper 268 has again been swung into its upwardly inclined position,the nails N thus delivered to the notches 268 remain in these notcheswhen the picker bar 28! moves back to its position as shown in Fig. 24.Thus, with the upward swinging of the hoppers 268 the nails in thenotches 268 are discharged therefrom through the large notches 288 andthese nails fall downwardly into the nail funnels 231 with the latterpositioned as shown in Fig. 22. Operating in this manner, the hoppers268 deliver a single nail to each of the nail funnels 231 of each ofthenailing units I88 cycle.

The operation of the strapper 38 occurs simultaneously and automaticallyduring the operation of the nailing mechanism 38. In describing this,reference is made to Figs. 2, 21, 22, 26, 2'7, 28, and 29. When the endsof box B engage the end tuckers 243 so as to lift these upwardly fromthe positions indicated in Fig. 21 to the positions indicated in Fig.22, the arms 245 on these end tuckers are swung downwardly, thus pullingdown on the links 334 and the arms 333 of the shaft 332 so as to rockthis shaft and move the wedge 338 from the position in which it is shownin Fig. 26 to v the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2". 'lin thisaction the wedge 338 engages the roller 38l and lifts the strapper stem288 and saddle bar 382 so that the springs 3l6 swing the drivers 3"about the pins 388. This movement is transmitted through the toggles 323to the jaws 3i8 so that the latter are swung into substantially ver-.tical positions as shown in Fig. 27. 'This action of the wedge 338 isthus seen to shape the ends of the strap S inwardly and bring the innerfaces bar 382, as shown in Fig.

picker bar notch 281- and I88 during each nailing makes special care byentirely releasing it move the table of the jaws :3" into parallelrelationship and spaced apart a distance approximately equal to thewidth of the box B. This inward swimi'ng oftheiawsllltakesplaeeiustastheuppe'redges 6f the sides of the box B come opposite the lowerjaws (Fla-2'1),v so that with portions of these further elevation of thebox 3 the laws slide vertically on the sides of the box. owins to thebox B being positioned between the laws 3". these laws cannot swing anyfurther inwardlyv towards each other and the saddle bar 382 aceordinfll!is not lifted by contact of the lid L therewith until the pressurebetween the lid and the saddle bar is sufncient to compress the springs8. when the latter is accomplished, however, the cover has been shapedlaterally to conform to the saddle The final elevation of the box B toliftthe chuck beams 288 and complete the nailing, operation of the endsof the lid to the ends of the box lifts the saddle bar 382 to bring therollers 328 on the toggles 323 into engagement with the oblique faces288 of the driver release cams 281, as shown in Fig. 28, and thiscontact throws the rollers 328 outwardly over dead center, thusreleasing the drivers 3l3 from being locked to the jaws M8 by thetoggles 323 and permitting the springs 3I8 to swing the drivers 3'l3suddenly inward, thus driving the pointed strap ends It into the sidesof the box B and securing the ends of the strap 8 to the sides of thebox, as shown in Fig. 29.

With the lowering of the table 88, the box 3 merely drops away from thestrapper 38 and the strapper resumes the condition in which it is shownin Fig. 26 excepting for the fact that it is emptied of its strap.

It is noted that the crown sheet 3 is expansible vertically owing to thefact that its halves 348 are loosely connected to the strapper 38 (seeFig. 25) and the strapper 38 is yieldable vertically independently ofthe chuck beams 288 (see Figs. 26, 2'7, 28, and 29) to which the outerends of the crown sheet are pivotally connected. It is preferable tolimit this vertical expansibility of the crown sheet 3 by the strapperlimit bar 288 which connects the chuck beams 288. In the drawing box Bis shown as having a pack of medium height. The height limit bar 288 isthus shown in Figs, 28 and 29 as disposed a considerable distance abovethe bottom of the slot 883 in the strapper 38 through which thisbarextends. In the event a box with a pack of maximum height were to bestrapped in the machine '36, the strapper 38 would be lifted so that thebottom of the slots 383 would engage the bar 288, thus limiting theupward extremity to which the center of the crown sheet could be lifted.This is for the purpose of preventing the arching of the lid L to theextent of drawing the ends of the lid inwardly, from their properpositions over the ends of the box.

' In the operation of the machine 35 the end tuckersand side flushersguard the edge rows of fruit in the superposed layer of oranges 0' andthe operator for guarding these oranges almost unnecessary. However, theoperator has complete control over the vertical movement of the table 88at all times and is able manipulation of thefcot pedal 312 to eitherstop vertical movement of this table by neutralizing this pedal or bypressing the pedal down or 88 either upwardly or downwardlyrespectively.

when the lid L is forced upwardly by the and this is accomplished

